Tiffany's Cancer Fight: Let's Beat Barry!

In December 2021, my older sister Tiffany chose to fight for her life after a devastating ovarian cancer diagnosis at the age of 42. By going through several grueling rounds of chemo and a life-saving surgery to remove the tumor (aka Barry, as my sister hilarious named it), she was able to declare victory! In May 2022, her remarkable medical team shared the words everyone had been waiting to hear - “You are in remission.” Chris and Tiffany celebrated this moment with loved ones during their 10th wedding anniversary with the hope of never having to hear the big “C” word again.

Anyone who has survived or witnessed the disease itself knows that cancer is nothing short of an a**hole though and does not care what the survivor or their loved ones want. In September 2022, just five months after being told she was in remission, my big sister was given another devastating blow - the cancer had not only returned, but it appeared more aggressive. CT scans showed that it was in her lower intestinal wall and CA-125 blood tests showed alarmingly high levels.

A year later and several procedures in, including two forms of chemo, my sister's life has changed as Barry has tried to take everything from her and those that love her. With physical limitations and being zapped of energy, she has had to step away from her love of horseback riding and regularly caring for her horse Chip. She has been in and out of the hospital nearly every month since the cancer returned, refusing to give up as Barry tries to steal her life.

They say you find your strength when faced with life-threatening situations and I have never seen anyone fight for the simple gift of life as hard as I have witnessed my sister fight over the last year. Seeing someone you love fight to live is not something anyone should have to experience, but it is also inspiring. To continue fighting, my sister has had to take a medical leave from her work to focus on getting well. Her job now is to fight and survive, which she could not be doing better. While her co-workers and company have been incredibly supportive and taking a leave allows for all medical benefits to remain in place, their household has taken a substantial hit financially. Her company's leave benefits only allow for an employee to collect a certain percentage of their yearly salary while away, leaving a large sum suddenly gone.

When you are fighting to simply live and support the woman you love in this same journey, the last thing anyone should have to worry about is finances of any kind. That is why I am working to fundraise the full amount that was taken away when my sister was forced to take a medical leave - $40,000.

Money does not make a life. It does not bring us happiness and it cannot save us from the devastation of a cancer diagnosis. However, what it can do is lighten the load and stress experienced by a limited income and daily financial strain.

Let’s all come together and contribute to the cause of kicking Barry’s a**!